Recruiting insider: Dereon Coleman has the tools to win a national championship

Tom Loy, a national recruiting analyst for 247Sports, stated earlier this week that he would not be surprised if 2026 Miami signee Dereon Coleman won a national championship with the Hurricanes. Loy made the statement on the CBS Sports Miami National Early National Signing Period preview.

Coleman, out of Orlando, Jones, is a four-star prospect in the 247Sports composite rankings who is 283rd overall, the 19th QB and 38th player in Florida in the 2026 class. Coleman is extremely experienced as a starter for Jones since he was a sophomore.

In 42 career games, Coleman has completed 71.4 percent of his pass attempts for 8,039 yards, 69 touchdowns, 11 interceptions, 1,205 rushing yards, 12 TDs and two 100-yard games per MaxPreps. At 6'0.5, 160 pounds, Coleman will have to get in the Miami strength and conditioning program to add mass.

Coleman led Jones to the Florida 4A State Championship Game in 2024, where they lost to Plantation American Heritage and Miami freshman superstar Malach Toney. Jones competed in the Elite 11 Finals over the summer in Manhattan Beach, California.

"I am a huge believer in Dereon Coleman. I've watched him throw it around in person, probably more than most and I'm just a huge, huge fan. Loved him on the seven-on-seven circuit, loved him on Friday nights. There's not a throw he cannot make. So he's got an elite arm talent. He can rip it with the best of the best...It's special watching him pick apart defenses with his arm. But even beyond that, his eyes, love the way he sees the field....Darreon at Miami...If they win a national championship one day with him at quarterback, I genuinely will not be shocked."

Tom Loy, 247Sports

Andrew Ivins, the Director of Scouting for 247Sports, said in his preview of Coleman at Elite 11, "Lacks the ideal size for the position, but finds ways to get the job done with his lightning-quick release and exit velocity."

Miami will lose Carson Beck after the 2025 season. The Hurricanes have gone to the transfer portal to add Beck for the 2025 season and Cam Ward in 2024. Miami has redshirt sophomore Emory Williams, redshirt freshman Judd Anderson and true freshman Luke Nickel on the 2025 roster.

Jacurri Brown, in the 2023 Pinstripe Bowl, was the last QB Miami originally signed that started a game for the Hurricanes. Williams played in five games and started two in 2023 before suffering a season-ending injury.

Nickel is the most talented QB on the 2025 Miami roster with a grade of 0.9171 from 247Sports. Coleman has a 0.9089 grade from 247Sports. Miami could pursue another QB in the 2026 class. It would not be surprising if Miami loses a QB to the transfer portal and once again pursues one to be their 2026 starter.

Nickel was incomplete on his only pass attempt in 2025 and is redshirting. Anderson, Brown, Nickel and Williams have all taken redshirt seasons at Miami under Mario Cristobal. With three years of experience as a starter, Coleman could potentially challenge to be a starter in 2026 if Miami doesn't add a transfer QB.

Coleman projects as a perfect fit for Miami in the Shannon Dawson offense. Ivins said Coleman is "Likely to find most success on Saturdays in an up-tempo spread attack." Coleman has a chance to be special at Miami.